Safety & Security

• Never operate your drone in a reckless or negligent manner that endangers aviation safety or any person. 
• Respect all applicable laws, including privacy, trespassing, and nuisance laws. 
• Insurance is strongly recommended. 
• Local law enforcement and Transport Canada investigate reports of unsafe or illegal drone operations. 
• Maximum altitude: 400 feet above ground level (AGL) unless authorized. 
• Authorization is required for flights near: 
  • Airports and heliports 
  • Emergency response operations 
  • Festivals and special events 

• Medicine Hat Police and Bylaw (Non-Emergency): 403-529-8481 
• Transport Canada Reporting Portal 

Operating a drone in Canada: 

• 14 years old – Basic Certificate 
• 16 years old – Advanced Certificate 
• 18 years old – Level 1 Complex Certificate 
• Certified pilots may supervise unlicensed individuals for training (clubs, camps, youth groups) 
• Foreign operators must obtain permission before flying 

Commercial / Business Operations

If operating commercially in Medicine Hat, be prepared to provide: 

• City of Medicine Hat Business License number 
• Proof of Insurance

Microdrones (Under 250 g) 

• No registration or pilot certificate required
• Must still follow safety rules and best practices
• An SFOC-RPAS is required if flying at an advertised event

Small Drones (250 g – 25 kg) 

• Must be registered and marked
• Pilot must hold at least a Basic Operations Certificate
• Carry proof of registration when flying

Medium Drones (25 kg – 150 kg) 

• Must be registered and marked
• Pilot must hold an Advanced Operations Certificate
• Carry proof of registration

For Advanced Operations, be prepared to provide: 

• Transport Canada registration
• Advanced Pilot Certificate 
• RPAS Flight Authorization from NAV CANADA (if in controlled airspace) 
• Flight plan and site survey including: 
  • Flight path and launch/landing locations 
  • Maximum flight height 
  • Obstacle evaluation 
  • Emergency procedures 
  • NAV CANADA approval 

Large Drones (Over 150 kg) 

• Require registration
• Pilot must hold a Special Drone Operations Pilot Certificate

Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC-RPAS) 

An SFOC-RPAS is required for: 

• Flights at advertised events (including microdrones) 
• Foreign pilots/operators 
• Drones over 250 kg 
• Flights above 400 ft 
• Flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) 

You may not fly:

• Over or within the security perimeter of police or emergency operations
• Near disasters (floods, wildfires, wind events)
• Within 9.3 km (5 nautical miles) of a wildfire
• Over festivals or public events (without proper authorization)

Distance from Aerodromes 

Unless following approved Transport Canada procedures, you must not fly closer than: 

• 5.6 km (3 nautical miles) from certified airports. 
• 1.9 km (1 nautical mile) from certified heliports. 
• 9.3 km (5 nautical miles) from certified aerodromes/heliports for certain BVLOS operations. 

Other laws/bylaws that may apply: 

• Privacy laws 
• Nuisance bylaws 
• Trespassing laws 
• Parks Bylaw #4859 Section 8 

Approved drone flight (take off/landing) locations within City of Medicine Hat Parks TBA.

Operate your drone only when: 

• You have reviewed Safe Drone Operation guidelines
• The area is clear of obstacles (buildings, power lines)
• Weather conditions are safe
• You will not interfere with emergencies or special events
• You have planned takeoff, landing, and flight path
• You can maintain visual line of sight
• There is no risk to people or property

• Never operate recklessly or negligently
• Stay clear of emergency sites and wildfires
• Follow the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), particularly Part IX – Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
• Review the regulations fully before your first flight